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Life has afforded numerous awkward moments during which I have felt “dumbstruck”—a harsh description to heap upon oneself. I considered writing “awestruck,” but I’m a card-carrying member of senior citizens who are “tired and sick” of youngsters, who—during both inhales and exhales—describe everything in the universe as being “awesome.” Reversing “sick and tired” slightly lessens the embarrassment of admitting repeated, selfdeprecating foul-ups that seem to have no end….

It’s that time of the year again. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The smell of fall is in the air and the smoke is slipping out of the chimney. It is time to give thanks. There are many ways that this can be done, but I thought I would give you 5 ways to give thanks. Something to think about.

On Nov. 10, dozens among Texas’ 31 state senators and 150 state representatives, including a few members-elect who won’t be sworn for nearly two months, jumped right in and filed legislative bills in advance of the 84th regular session of the Texas Legislature, which convenes on Tuesday, Jan. 13. In all last week, 316 House and 170 Senate bills, proposed constitutional amendments and commemorative resolutions were filed. These are samples of the subject matter in those early-filed bills: acceptable forms of voter identification, use of a portable wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle, repeal of the franchise tax, property tax reform, minimum wage increase, changes regarding the offense of student hazing, and free pre-kindergarten in public schools. The bill-filing deadline is the 60th day of the session, March 13. By then, lawmakers likely will have filed more than 10,000 bills and resolutions.

Although evolution has been taught in the schools of our country for many decades, surprisingly, still most believe that God created the world. Unfortunately, the teaching of evolution has still permeated the culture of our land and the minds of most people in subtle ways.

Winners in the Nov. 4 general election on the whole proved that incumbency and/or running as a Republican continue to be assets when Texas voters hit the polls. Democrats Wendy Davis and Leticia Van de Putte lost by wide margins to Republicans Greg Abbott and Dan Patrick for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, respectively. In the Abbott-Davis race, the spread was 20 points: 59 to 39 percent. Similarly, the spread in the Patrick-Van de Putte race was 19 points: 58 to 39 percent.

Zane Sterling understands odds. After all, he rose through the working ranks in Reno casinos, including pit boss duties for 13 of his 20 years in Nevada. And he’s lived to tell about it—even gain from it—thanks to extensive “people watching.” The West Texan—back in Snyder near the spread his greatgrandfather bought in 1898— chose “home again” for a specific reason. Cowboy “to the bone,” he wants to abide where words flow most easily. Behind him are stretches of work on the farm and ranch, oilfield “roughnecking” and casino management.

With Jessica working night’s pretty much all the time now, after a long hard day at the Leader- News, it’s just me and the kids at home most nights. Most of the time, when I driveup to the house around 5 p.m. and walk inside, Jessica has the kids sitting around the table doing their homework, while she is cooking dinner for us. What can I say, she’s a hard worker.

The Secretary of State’s Elections Division on Oct. 31 posted early voting turnouts for each of the state’s 15 highest-population counties: Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Travis, Collin, Denton, El Paso, Fort Bend, Hidalgo, Montgomery, Williamson, Galveston, Nueces and Cameron. Of the 8,978,313 registered voters in those counties, 1,715,731 voted early in person or by mail. That’s a 19.11 percent cumulativeearly voting percentage. To compare with the last midterm election, in 2010, the cumulative early voting total for those 15 counties was 1,731,589 ballots cast out of 8,339,034 registered voters, or 20.76 percent of the total.

It’s that time of the year again. This past Friday night, ghost, goblins, zombies...or whatever else kids dress up as these days, were our trick or treating. Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, and one, which I never thought this was possible, gets better as you get older.

It is hard to believe that November is upon us. This is the time of fall that our calendars begin to get rushed. We plan family gatherings for Thanksgiving and if we are really on the ball, we have already begun to think about Christmas plans. I talked to a person last week that told me the day after Halloween is when their Christmas lights go up. I have to confess, you will not catch me with Christmas decorations for a while yet to come.